A Diamonds great and one of her Melbourne Vixens teammates who also played at the top level have announced that they will retire at the end of their Super Netball finals campaign this season.
Caitlin Thwaites, who played 54 games for the Diamonds, scoring 1106 goals at 92 percent accuracy on the way to winning Commonwealth Games and World Cup gold medals, will bid farewell to the sport alongside Tegan Philip, who played 14 test matches for the Diamonds and scored 130 goals.
However, they have one last big assignment ahead of them, with the Vixens finishing on top of the Super Netball table and in perfect position to claim the title.
Thwaites will finish her career as one of the most capped national league players of all time, becoming just the fifth player to take the court 230 times. She has scored an incredible 6,801 goals over her 18-year career.
Thwaites began her career with the Melbourne Kestrels in 2002 at only 15 years of age and stayed with the Melbourne side as they became the Melbourne Vixens in 2008, before winning a premiership with them in 2009.
She also played for New Zealand's Central Pulse and the NSW Swifts between stints in Melbourne, winning club MVP awards with both.
"The opportunities that netball has given to me have been incredible and I look forward to giving back to the sport that has given me so much," Thwaites said.
Philip has played with the Vixens for her entire career, joining the team in 2010 and taking the court for them 131 times.
Philip has scored 2,729 goals for the Vixens over her 11 seasons, was named Rookie of the Year in her debut season and was Player of the Match in the 2014 grand final, leading her side to the premiership.
"I feel very privileged to have been able to represent Australia in the sport that I love," Philip said.
"It's such an enjoyable but hard working environment and one that I am grateful to have been a part of. I have so many great memories that I will certainly cherish."
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner reflected on Thwaites' and Philip's careers.
"Both Caitlin and Tegan have been exemplary ambassadors for netball over their long and illustrious careers and I thank them for their respective contributions to the sport, both on and off the court," she said.
"Everyone from Netball Australia and the broader netball community wishes both Caitlin and Tegan the very best with what comes next."
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/netball/diamonds-stars-announce-retirement-from-super-netball/9a6b62c4-1014-4f00-ad59-018eb96f2b21
0 Comments